Beijing, 24 January (LaPresse/AP) – The Chinese army's highest-ranking general, Zhang Youxia, 75, is under investigation by the Chinese Communist Party for suspected serious violations of discipline and the law. This was announced today by the Ministry of Defence in Beijing. Zhang is the senior of the two vice-chairmen of the powerful Central Military Commission and is the latest figure to “fall” in the numerous purges of military officials. The CCP has also expelled the other vice-chairman of the commission. Analysts believe that the purges are intended both to reform the army and to ensure loyalty to Chinese leader Xi Jinping, who is also chairman of the Military Commission. Another member of the commission, Liu Zhenli, has also been investigated by the CCP. The latest purges are part of a broader anti-corruption campaign that has punished more than 200,000 officials since Xi came to power in 2012.